Thomas b



(No Model.)

T. B. HENKL-E.

ICE TONGS.

Patented Apr. 25, 1893.

INVENTOI? W 6, M

WITNESSES.

A TTOHNE Y.

co, PHOTO-LITHO wAsHmoruu n c UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS B. HENKLE, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA.

ICE-TONGS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 496,158, dated April 25, 1893.

Application filed February 13, 1893- $eria1ll'o. 462,105- (No model.)

To all whom) it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS B. HENKLE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Indianapolis, in the county of Marion and State of Indiana, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Ice-Tongs, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improved tongs for handling blocks of ice, or coal, of moderate size and is intended more particularly for domestic use.

The object of my improvement is, to provide in a pair of tongs having its legs orjaws held normally toward each other, means for openin g the jaws.

The-accompanying drawing illustrates my invention.

The figure represents a side elevation of the tongs in its normal position, the position of the jaws when open being indicated by dotted lines.

A, A, indicates the jaws of the tongs, which are connected at one end by an eye, B, which also forms a spring which draws the points of the jaws normally toward each other. The jaws and the eye are formed, preferably, from a single piece of spring-wire. For the purpose of forcing the jaws apart, I pivot a pair of links, 0, O, to the inner edges of the jaws below the eye B, and to the opposed ends of said links I pivot a bar, D, which terminates at its free end, in a loop, E, which is arranged within the eye 13. A toggle joint is thus formed which when straightened, as shown in dotted lines, forces the jaws apart.

The operation of my device is as follows.

The operator siezes the tongs by the eye B, in one hand, putting two or three of the fingers in the loop E, of the bar D; then, drawing the fingers toward the palm of the hand, the toggle-joint is straightened and the jaws are opened snfficiently wide to receive the block of ice or coal to be carried. The jaws having been brought into proper position to grasp the block, loop E is released, and the jaws are drawn forcibly together by the reaction of the spring forming the eye B, which also serves as a handle for carrying the tongs and its load.

I claim as my invention- 1. The combination with the pair of jaws and a spring connecting said jaws and ar ranged to draw them toward each other, of the pair of links pivoted to the jaws and forming a toggle-joint between them, and the operating bar pivoted to said links and provided with a handle, whereby the jaws may be opened, substantially as set forth.

2. The above described ice-tongs consisting of a single piece of wire bent to form a pair of jaws and an eye connecting said jaws, a pair of links pivoted to the jaws and arranged to form a toggle-joint between them, and an operating bar pivoted to the links and terminating in a handle arranged within said eye, all combined and arranged to co-operate in the manner set forth.

THO MAS l3. HENKLE.

Witnesses:

H. P. H001), V. M. 11001). 

